Froggy: A Short Story

Once upon a time, there was a little boy named Mike. He was ALL boy as they say. He was a stomper of mud puddles, collector of string, rubber bands, rocks…and anything else big people didn’t really want.

He was also a builder of forts and contraptions that only a creative kid could dream up. Usually, he built his contraptions with things he found in the kitchen or his backyard.

Sometimes, his mommy wasn’t too happy to find her mixing bowl, pasta strainer, and whisk all caked in mud when it was time to prepare supper. Oh well. She knew boys will be boys, so she’d carefully give him a kiss on the top of his head under his baseball cap—where there wasn’t any dirt. Despite the messes, he would get himself into, she knew her little boy was a

“Well, sure he does. His name is Froggy,” said Mike.
“Well, my, my! That’s a special name,” said Grandma. “What kinds of games did you play?”
Mike told her all about the jumping games he thought of for Froggy...and lily pad hopping. “And, I told Froggy I would be back out to play some more after supper.”
“I’m sure froggy went back to his lilypad to make some beautiful music with his pond friends tonight. You can play some more tomorrow,” said Grandma. “Grandpa is taking us to town for ice cream after you two clean your plates and feed the dogs.”
“But...Grandma,” said Mike. “I gotta play with Froggy! He’s waiting for me!
“Well, tonight is the Ice Cream Social, Michael. I’m sure Froggy will be excited to play with you tomorrow. How about you two go feed the dogs and then we’ll go to town? Your friend Joshua will be there and Mrs. Jamison made sure they will have your favorite flavor, too!”
That’s all Mike needed to hear. He love, love, LOVES mint chocolate chip ice cream. After supper, Mike and Grandpa went outside to feed the dogs while Grandma washed the dishes. As they filled the water bowls for the dogs, Grandpa asked, “Mike, where was Froggy waiting for

Plus, if he was in my pocket, then he wouldn’t break Grandma’s rule about no animals in the house.
“Oh, is that so?” Grandpa asked with the most gentle concern.
“Yeah, ‘cuz in my pocket he wouldn’t touch one toe in the house.”
Grandpa realized he didn’t empty Mike’s pockets before he put the mud-caked overalls in the washing machine.
They were just about to fill the dog’s water bowls when they heard Grandma yell, “Aaaagh!”
“Grandma! Are you okay?” Shouted Grandpa.
“I’m fine, but you’d better come here and have a look,” she said.
“I’ll be right there!” Grandpa said. “Mike, can you fill these water bowls all by